George Washington University Hatchet, December 7, 1987

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A mixed bag of Elvis rarities


Kevin McKeever

'Out Of Our Idiot' a must for the Costello connoisseur

When Elvis Costello released his first single, "Less Than Zero," in 1977, he immediately was hailed by critics as the Messiah of the New Wave era. (Of course, as David Lee Roth once said, all rock critics look like Elvis, that's why he's so popular with them.)

After 10 years and five pseudonyms (The Imposter, Napoleon Dynamite, The Emotional Toothpaste, Howard Coward and Eamonn Singer — oops, forgot the return to his real name Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus), Costello has proved himself to be a proficient and prolific songwriter/performer. Out Of Our Idiot, a new compilation of B-sides, rare and unreleased cuts, is further proof of Elvis' seemingly unending and diversified talent.

Idiot, released on Costello's own Demon record label, mostly features songs that didn't make Elvis' albums from the past five years and — contrary to the popular notion about most artists' unreleased tracks — many of them do deserve to be preserved on vinyl.

Most of the songs are Costello originals that, although not filled with as much wordplay and puns as his work on Armed Forces and Get Happy!!, still mystify the listener with their lyrical playfulness and melodic hooks.

"The People's Limousine," a song performed and co-written with T Bone Burnett under the names Henry and Howard Coward, is one of the best. Previously performed by Costello on his limited 1987 solo tour, this upbeat Bonnie-and-Clyde tale has Burnett and Costello trading Dylanesque vocals with a country-flavored twang.

"American Without Tears No. 2," also a featured song during the 1987 tour, continues and clarifies the saga of two early 20th century lovers whose story was first heard on 1986's King of America. Unlike the original, "No. 2" has a lucid storyline, clearer production and the necessary lines, "It seems like she's been cryin' / For years after years / Now you don't speak any English / Just American between beers / American without tears." Yep, Elvis has a handle on the U.S.A.'s way of life.

The Attractions, Elvis' longtime and best backing band, are up to snuff on all the cuts. Of particular note is the tight rocking on the dance track "Baby's Got A Brand New Hairdo" and "The Flirting Kind." The latter features the best of Elvis' "guilt and revenge" writing style plus some scintillating piano work by keyboardist par excellence Steve Nieve. Nieve (whose rollicking jungle rhythms, a key to the success of 1978's This Year's Model, were almost non-existent on the recent Blood & Chocolate) excels on the ivories, in "Black Sails In The Sunset," which previously appeared on the 12-inch single of "Tokyo Storm Warning." Nieve also shines on the vamped-up R&B version of Chocolate's "Blue Chair."

Costello furthers his reputation as an insightful song interpreter with his collaboration with Nick Lowe on their revival of Burt Bacharach's "Baby, It's You" which nearly eclipse's The Beatles' 1963 version. "From Head To Toe" is a rare (for Costello), optimistic and peppy love song treated with airy lightness by Elvis and the Attractions. The oldest number on Out Of Our Idiot features the group in a reggae mode for "So Young," recorded in 1979. They even breathe life into a Yoko Ono's grim "Walking On Thin Ice," previously only found on a 1984 John Lennon dedication LP.

However, even Elvis produces a few dogs. "The Stamping Ground," features Costello's whiny, nasal-voiced crooning that will drive you to earplugs. "Turning The Town Red," available before on the 12-inch single of "The Only Flame in Town" from Goodbye Cruel World, is inconsequential as is "Shoes Without Heels," another King of America leftover. "Seven Day Weekend," his co-writing and performing duet with reggae man Jimmy Cliff from the Club Paradise movie soundtrack, is energetic, but that's it.

Overall, Out Of Our Idiot will satisfy any Elvis fan who is waiting for his next LP while continuing to amaze listeners with his enormous and listenable re-corded output.


Tags: Out Of Our IdiotLess Than ZeroThe ImposterNapoleon DynamiteThe Emotional ToothpasteHoward CowardEamonn SingerDeclan Patrick Aloysius MacManusArmed ForcesGet Happy!!The People's LimousineT Bone BurnettHenry CowardHoward Coward1987 Solo TourBob DylanAmerican Without Tears No. 2 (Twilight Version)King Of AmericaThe AttractionsBaby's Got A Brand New HairdoThe Flirting KindSteve NieveThis Year's ModelBlood & ChocolateBlack Sails In The SunsetTokyo Storm WarningBlue ChairNick LoweBurt BacharachBaby It's YouThe BeatlesFrom Head To ToeSo YoungYoko OnoWalking On Thin IceJohn LennonThe Stamping GroundTurning The Town RedThe Only Flame In TownGoodbye Cruel WorldShoes Without HeelsSeven Day WeekendJimmy CliffClub ParadiseDavid Lee RothDemon Records

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The GW Hatchet, December 7, 1987


Kevin McKeever reviews Out Of Our Idiot.

Images

1987-12-07 George Washington University Hatchet page 12 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.

Page scan.
1987-12-07 George Washington University Hatchet page 12.jpg

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